Here’s a look at some additional programs and services offered by Preble Street:
VETERANS HOUSING SERVICES
Launched in 2011, this statewide program is aimed at helping homeless and low-income veterans at risk of losing their homes in all 16 counties, with offices in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Machias. Services provided include case management, counseling and direct financial assistance for security deposits, first month’s rent and utility fees.
Over the last three years, the program has provided services to 808 veterans and their families, including 84 veterans who were chronically homeless and 286 children.
In 2015, the program had a $1.6 million budget.
HOUSING FIRST
The so-called Housing First model provides people with stable housing before trying to address the underlying causes of homelessness, such as substance abuse or mental health issues. The concept began taking root in the 1990s and has since become a top federal strategy for fighting homelessness.
Preble Street has partnered with Avesta Housing to create three Housing First projects, totaling 85 units of housing, in Portland over the last decade or so. Avesta builds and owns the buildings, while Preble Street provides staff 24 hours a day and coordinates services for residents. They are:
• LOGAN PLACE: Located on 52 Frederic St., Logan Place opened in 2005 as the first Housing First project in the city, providing 30 units of housing to chronically homeless individuals. It cost $4.3 million to build. In 2015, Preble Street spent a little more than $533,000 to operate the facility.
• FLORENCE HOUSE: Located at 190 Valley St., Florence House opened in 2010. It has 25 efficiency apartments, serves as a small emergency shelter for women and has its own soup kitchen. The facility cost $7.9 million to build. In 2015, Preble Street spent about $1.3 million to operate the facility.
• HUSTON COMMONS: Located at 72 Bishop St., Huston Commons opened in 2017 and has 30 units of housing. It was estimated to cost $5 million. The annual operating expense for this program was not available.
TEEN SERVICES
Preble Street has operated a drop-in teen center on Cumberland Avenue since 2002 and an overnight teen shelter, named after organization founder Joe Kreisler, on Preble Street since 2013. Over the last three years, both programs have provided services for 361 runaway and homeless youth. Those services include case management, educational support, family reunification, meals, parenting education and transportation. An average of 17 to 20 kids a year receive their high school equivalency diploma through the Street Academy partnership with Portland Public Schools. In 2015, teen services cost $1.3 million.
ANTI-TRAFFICKING COALITION
Launched in 2013, the Anti-Trafficking Coalition seeks to prevent and assist victims of human trafficking. In addition to Preble Street, the coalition includes Catholic Charities Maine, Day One, Family Crisis Services, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Pine Tree Legal Assistance and Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine.
Over the last three years, 95 clients in York and Cumberland counties received comprehensive case management and the coalition conducted 76 training presentations on identifying survivors of trafficking, and providing appropriate services to 2,300 people. In 2015, the program cost nearly $251,500.
MAINE HUNGER INITIATIVE
Created in 2008, the Maine Hunger Initiative was a response to a reduction in food available to area food pantries. The effort raises money to keep pantries stocked, while advocating for long-term solutions for food insecurity.
From 2014 to 2016, the group coordinated nearly 213,750 summer meals at 62 sites throughout the state. It also worked in 12 schools in Cumberland and Oxford counties to develop alternative breakfast models that led to about 950 more meals over a three-year period. In 2015, the program cost nearly $181,475.
HOMELESS VOICES FOR JUSTICE
Launched in 1995 as the Consumer Advocacy Project, Homeless Voices for Justice is a way for people who have witnessed homelessness to help shape public policy by advocating at the state and local level, registering voters and holding candidate forums in the soup kitchen. In 2015, the program cost nearly $175,000.
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